Summer plant care

How to keep your plants healthy and beautiful in the heat

Long sunny days, a more relaxed routine, holidays… but also often unbearable heat. Just like summer can sometimes wear you out, your indoor plants (houseplants) can also suffer during the hot months. While the sun provides them with energy, even here it’s true that too much of a good thing can be harmful. Protect your plants and read on to find out what proper summer care should look like.

Sun is vital - but it can also be tricky

High temperatures, dry air, intense sunlight – all of these can wear your greenery down. Typical signs of heat stress include drooping leaves, slowed growth, or loss of color. Plants don’t speak, but if you learn to read these signals, you’ll quickly know something’s wrong.

If you spot brown, yellowing, or curled leaves, it’s time to act. Try moving the plant to a better location, adjusting watering, or providing some shade.

Which plants can handle direct sun - and which can’t?

If you have a balcony or garden, your houseplants will enjoy the fresh air. But beware of direct sunlight. On hot days, only expose plants to sun in the morning, then move them to a shady spot. Don’t want to keep moving pots back and forth? Use a shade cloth or a light fabric covering.

Every species has different needs. Some are more drought-tolerant, others are more sensitive.

  • Full sun is fine for: Cactaceae, Crassulaceae, Citrus × sinensis, Olea europaea, Agave americana, Rosmarinus officinalis.
  • Partial shade is better for: Ficus benjamina, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Schlumbergera.
  • Moisture-loving plants include: Pteridophyta, Philodendron, Dionaea muscipula.
How to water plants in summer? More often - but less

Just like us, plants are thirstier in summer. So adjust your watering routine: water more frequently, but with smaller amounts, so you don’t drown the roots. Always check soil moisture with your finger before watering. If it feels dry at the top, it’s safe to water. Sandy soil drains faster, while clay retains water longer - adapt your watering schedule accordingly.

Water your plants in the morning and evening, when evaporation is lowest. Make sure the water reaches the roots rather than the leaves - this avoids the magnifying glass effect, where sunlight reflects off water droplets and burns the foliage.

And don’t forget: use room-temperature water. Cold water could shock the plant - and that’s the last thing we want.

Watch out for drafts

Keep rooms with plants well-ventilated, but avoid drafts. Fans and air conditioners may feel great for you, but for plants - especially sensitive ones like orchids - they can be harmful. To raise humidity, place a bowl of water nearby or turn on a humidifier.

What fertilizer should you use?

In summer, avoid fertilizers high in nitrogen, as they encourage fast growth and stress the plant even more. Instead, go for organic fertilizers rich in potassium and phosphorus - they help boost drought resistance. Fertilize about once every two weeks.

6 Summer Tips You’ll Want to Remember
  • Heat attracts pests. Check the undersides of leaves regularly for aphids, whiteflies, and others. If infested, try a natural insecticide.
  • Try mulching to help retain soil moisture and protect roots from heat.
  • Remove dead flowers that drain the plant’s energy.
  • Wipe the leaves clean. Dusty foliage makes it harder for plants to breathe - gently clean them with a damp cloth in the evening.
  • Avoid black plastic pots, which can overheat like ovens. Opt for ceramic, light-colored, or glazed planters instead.
  • Save time with self-watering pots, which take care of consistent watering for you.

Make Summer Plant Care Easier

At St. Gabriel wholesale, you'll find everything you need for smart plant care in the summer. Order supplies from the comfort of your home and turn this summer into a season which your plants will love as much as you do.

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